Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, June 1. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Schitt’s Creek (Pop, 8 p.m.): Schitt’s Creek ends its second season with “Happy Anniversary,” in which “Johnny and Moira go out for their anniversary and run into a couple they knew from their former life, while Alexis and David attend Mutt’s annual barn party, making up with some friends, and making out with others.” There’s not much better than the phrase “annual barn party,” that’s for sure. Classic Schitt’s Creek and classic Canada.
Genius By Stephen Hawking (PBS, 9/10 p.m.): We feel like this season (and series) just started, and now we’re apparently at the season finale. Boooo! Yeah, we just booed that. First up tonight, Stephen Hawking asks: “What Are We?” The finale goes one step further though, by asking: “Where Are We?” People and places. Boom. You’re not the only genius around these parts, Stephen Hawking. Don’t you boo us.
The Night Shift (NBC, 10 p.m.): Doctors don’t need face or heart hands. They just need the night. Ooh, do you guys like that slogan? That was good, right? Good enough to make the third season premiere of The Night Shift a proper top pick too. It was really good.
Premieres and finales
500 Questions (ABC, 8 p.m.): What is this, and how is it having a second season finale?
Lair Of The Killer Crocs/Attack Of The Killer Dragons (Animal Planet, 8/9 p.m.): You do you, Animal Planet.
The IHeartRadio Summer Pool Party (The CW, 8 p.m.): We have one question for you, IHeartRadio. How can you have a summer pool party when we all know there ain’t no party like an S Club Party?
MasterChef (Fox, 8 p.m.): In “Battle For A White Apron” (“Part 1”!)… Come on. This is the seventh season of MasterChef, and the season premiere is titled “Battle For A White Apron, Part 1.” You can use context clues. Don’t believe us? “In order to move to the next round of the competition, the home cooks must display culinary skills, as well as an immense passion for food, and be determined to out-cook their rivals.” See?
Young & Hungry (Freeform, 8 p.m.): In “Young & Hawaii,” “Broken hearted over Josh, Gabi ends up on someone else’s honeymoon.” First of all, we’re just going to ignore “Young & Hawaii.” Why even do the naming scheme if you won’t try? Second of all, that’s not how honeymoons work! Unless you’re “Young & Quirky,” we guess.
American Ninja Warrior (NBC, 8 p.m.): When you really think about it, American Ninja Warrior is the only show that matters.
Unsung (TV One, 8 p.m.): Truthfully, we’re 80 percent sure Kelly Price already had an episode of Unsung about her, but 10 seasons in, apparently that’s not the case. Sure.
Baby Daddy (Freeform, 8:30 p.m.): Hehe. The episode (which is the fifth season summer premiere, by the way) is titled “Trial By Liar.” Baby Daddy at least knows how to get some mileage out of its episode titles.
Roots (A&E/History Channel/Lifetime/Lifetime Movie Network, 9 p.m.): Part three of four for new Roots! Roots! Roots! Roots! Roots! Sorry. There’s really only so much joking you can do about Roots. It’s really just better to chant it.
Kingdom (DirecTV, 9 p.m.): You like MMA and sibling rivalry? Of course you do—you’re only human. (Unless you’re one of the killer crocs and dragons.) Well that’s what you can expect in Kingdom’s second season summer premiere, “Lay And Pray.” Seriously, just ask Danette Chavez: plenty of MMA and sibling rivalry to go around. Welcome back, Kingdom.
Cleverman (Sundance, 10 p.m.): Let’s hear it for Australian television, eh? That’s what Cleverman is, and tonight begins the series’ six-episode first season. “Set in the near future, Cleverman is a startlingly original drama rooted in Aboriginal mythology. The series depicts a deeply conflicted and anxious society, fearful of a minority group living among them, endowed with extraordinary physical traits. One young man—The Cleverman—struggles with his own power and the responsibility to unite this divided world, but he must first overcome a deep estrangement from his older brother.” That sounds fun, right? See what Brandon Nowalk had to say in his pre-season review.
Regular coverage
Wayward Pines (Fox, 9 p.m.)
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (Seeso/YouTube): You haven’t witnessed a true night shift until you’ve been to Darkplace Hospital.